A bold Chronicle campaign to spark an explosion of new businesses across the region has got off to a flying start.

And wrestler Adam Brown, known by his fighting name of The Wild Thing, is just one of more than 100 people who have joined the scheme.

After only 57 days, the campaign has seen an amazing 111 new businesses starting up in the North East!

The Chronicle has joined forces with Business Link, Inbiz and Women into the Network who between them offer help and advice to would-be entrepreneurs.

After learning his trade in bouts across America and the UK, Adam, of South Shields, has returned to his native North East to pass on his expertise to the next generation of wrestlers. Now, after completing a course with Inbiz, he has set up Cream of Wrestling and started running weekly classes at Gosforth High School.

He said: " It may seem different to other people but it is really great fun.

"Anyone who would like to find out more about learning to wrestle can contact me on 07729 454039."

The Business a Day initiative aims to create a new firm each and every day over the next 12 months.

Dan Brophy, chief executive of Business Link Tyne & Wear, said:

"This is a huge success story and I am convinced that this will be an ongoing achievement with more and more people deciding to be employers rather than employees.

"We hope that by reading about people who have set up their own business, they will be encouraged to at least think about doing the same.

"We have created a partnership between the key business support agencies, and our aim is to make it as easy and as pain-free as possible for anyone to find all the advice and support they need when thinking about starting up"

Stephen McQuiggin, from Inbiz, said: "Our advice to people thinking of trying their hand at the business world is to get the right advice and then go for it.

"Since January 20 we have helped dozens of people to go self-employed."